WASHINGTON, D.C. — TikTok said it has established a new U.S.-based joint venture aimed at meeting federal security requirements while allowing Americans to continue using the popular short-form video platform.
The new entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, was created under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on September 25, 2025. The company said the move will enable more than 200 million U.S. users and 7.5 million American businesses to remain on the platform.
According to TikTok, the joint venture is majority American-owned and will operate as an independent company with authority over data security, the recommendation algorithm, and content moderation for U.S. users. The company said the structure is designed to safeguard national security while maintaining access to the app in the United States.
Under the new arrangement, U.S. user data will be stored within Oracle’s secure cloud infrastructure located in the United States, protected by enhanced privacy and cybersecurity controls. TikTok said the joint venture will run a cybersecurity program subject to review and certification by independent experts and aligned with U.S. and global security standards, including those set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
TikTok said the U.S. entity will also retrain and update the app’s recommendation algorithm using only U.S. user data, with the system secured entirely within Oracle’s domestic cloud environment. Software used in the United States will undergo regular reviews, with Oracle serving as a trusted security partner and validating source code on an ongoing basis.
The joint venture will have full authority over trust and safety policies in the United States, including content moderation decisions. TikTok said it will issue transparency reports and permit third-party reviews to ensure accountability.
Despite the changes, TikTok said U.S. users will continue to reach global audiences, and the platform will remain interoperable with TikTok’s international system, allowing American creators and businesses to operate globally.
The new company will be governed by a seven-member board with a majority of American directors. TikTok CEO Shou Chew will serve on the board, alongside executives from Silver Lake, Oracle, Susquehanna International Group, and MGX. Raul Fernandez, chief executive officer of DXC Technology, was named independent director and chair of the board’s security committee.
Adam Presser was appointed chief executive officer of TikTok USDS Joint Venture. Presser has previously held senior roles at TikTok and WarnerMedia. Will Farrell was named chief security officer and will oversee data protection and cybersecurity. Farrell has previously worked at TikTok and Booz Allen Hamilton.
TikTok said Silver Lake, Oracle, and MGX are the three managing investors, each holding a 15 percent stake, while ByteDance will retain a 19.9 percent ownership share. The company said the same security safeguards will also apply to other TikTok-owned apps in the United States, including CapCut and Lemon8.
TikTok said the new structure is intended to ensure Americans can continue to create, share, and conduct business on its platforms while complying with U.S. security and regulatory requirements. (Source: IANS)
